NHL Rumors I: The Canucks – Coaching, Draft and Kesler

“We’ve been in meetings all day, so we haven’t had a chance to really sit down and talk about it,” Benning said Friday afternoon of Bylsma’s sudden availability. “But he’s an interesting name, for sure.

“We’re going to wait until the NHL is done and the AHL is done. We’re going to do our due diligence on this. We want to make sure we pick the right guy that’s right for this group. So we’re going to take our time and do the work. It has gone good so far and I expect it to keep going good.”

Benning on the Canucks draft.

“We’re going to explore everything,” he said. “We feel we’re going to get a real good player at six. But we’re going to explore moving up, if we can, and what the cost is. If we’re able to do it, that would be great. But we’re happy where we are at six.”

Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “I’m hearing that Kesler is out there again and teams are looking at him”

Mark Spector: Canucks GM Jim Benning met with Ryan Kesler last week: “It’s between us.” Reports that Kesler being available are accurate in Spectors opinion. He is a valuable player but wouldn’t be missed in many ways in Vancouver.